The Automatic Hoxton Bar and Grill, London 21/1/01
4/5
By: Charlie Bradford
What’s that coming over the hill? Well it’s still a monster - but this one looks edgier, rockier and more grown up.
First hitting the big time back in ‘06 with tunes like 'Raoul' and 'Monster', The Automatic bombarded the airwaves. But after that, the band took a bit of a nose dive, first they lost “shouty one” Alex Pennie, and second album This Is a Fix didn’t seem to make much of an impact, only generating on single, titled ‘Steve McQueen’.
And yet The Automatic did not give up - they replaced Pennie with Paul Mullen form Yourcodenameis:Milo, and have been holed up in the studio for a few years working on their forthcoming third LP Tear Down the Signs.
Tonight the band walk out onto the small stage and launch straight in with their impending single 'Interstate', its loud and pacy – gone is the mainstream pop mentalities of previous tunes; this is a straight down the line rock song. The triumvirate of vocalists sit well with the clattering drums; it’s certainly an excellent choice of first single. It’s followed by a number from first album Not Accepted Anywhere, but ‘On the Campaign Trail’ has been given a makeover – gone is the slight, awkward teenager, in its place is a confident professional. It’s full of excited energy, and from the smiles on the band’s faces to the woops and cheers from the crowd, it seems both are enjoying themselves.
'Run and Hide' - apparently the next single – has a Placeboesque sound to it as do Mullen’s vocals – which are certainly reminiscent of Brian Molko, even if Mullen is definitely not. The bass resonates through the track, giving it a primeval feel. So far there has been limited interaction between the band and audience, but by now Rob seems to have found his voice, informing us about the hiatus, the new album and ending with a very eloquent request for the audience to “…go out and buy it f**kers”.
And so to reinforce this point the band play another new track, again sung by Mullen - who at this stage seems to have usurped Rob’s role as lead singer. 'Can I Take You Home' is a dancier track, the sythns are there in force and influences such as Bloc Party shine through. 'Monster' is up next, and like the previous old one it has been given a make over, and even thought there’s no Pennie screaming his way through the crowd obviously still love it.
The Automatic are on a mission tonight, to showcase a new sound, so the following tracks are all new ones, and with wild undertones, screeching sound effects, grittier synths and omnipresent huge drums these high octane and impulsive songs demonstrate a formidable new version of the band. ‘Hightimes' is just such an example, with Rob taking back the vocals it’s a straight down the line designed to please tune, just like 'Raoul' which is up next before 'Recover', the band’s first ever single, also gets an airing.
With a set list that predominantly features new songs, it seems tonight has been all about forthcoming album Tear Down the Signs and showing this trendy East London crowd that The Automatic are back with a newer, better and more refreshed sound. Certainly an improvement.
Artists in this article: The Automatic
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